Glossary of Terms
AVAZA: INTERPRETER SERVICES
AVAZA is the interpreter services that THDA uses to communicate with non-English speaking individuals.
EIN: EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique identification number assigned to a business entity for identification by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
FMR: FAIR MARKET RENT
Fair Market Rents are used to determine rental voucher amounts for government housing assistance programs such as Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program).
FSS: FAMILY SELF SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM
FSS is a program enabling HUD-assisted families to increase their earned income and reduce dependency on welfare and rental subsidies.
HAP: HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
HAP is the monthly payment THDA pays to the owner on behalf of the tenant.
HAPC: HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT CONTRACT
The HAP contract is a written agreement between the Public Housing Agency (PHA) and the owner of a unit occupied by a housing choice voucher program participant.
HCV: HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is the federal government’s main program assisting very low-income families, elderly, and disabled individuals to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. PHAs administer the program with federal funds from HUD.
HOV: HOME OWNERSHIP VOUCHER
The Homeownership Voucher Program (HOV) allows families assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance for homeownership expenses.
HQS: HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are minimum standards for tenant-based programs, required at initial occupancy and throughout the lease term. They apply to the building, premises, and unit.
HUD: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a U.S. government agency established in 1965 to support community development and homeownership.
PD: PERSONAL DECLARATION
The Personal Declaration (PD) is a form completed by the household to verify income and other household factors as required by HUD.
PHA: PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY
The PHA administers the Section 8 voucher program under HUD’s rules and regulations. For example, THDA is a Public Housing Agency.
RA: REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Under the Fair Housing Act, Reasonable Accommodation (RA) is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service to accommodate persons with disabilities.
RTA or RFTA: REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL
Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA/RFTA) is the form used by the PHA to collect unit information to determine client eligibility for leasing the unit.
SRO: SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
A Single Room Occupancy unit is a self-contained unit where everything is housed in a single room except the bathroom.
SSN: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents.
TIN: TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
A Tax Identification Number (TIN) identifies entities for tax purposes. For individuals, it is the same as their SSN. For businesses, it is the same as their EIN.
TTP: TOTAL TENANT PAYMENT
Total Tenant Payment (TTP) is the amount a tenant is expected to contribute towards rent and utilities, based on the family’s income.
UAP: UTILITY ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
If the utility allowance exceeds the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), the Public Housing Authority (PHA) pays the excess amount either to the family or directly to the utility supplier.
VASH: VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) provides rental assistance to qualified veterans.
VAWA: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN’S ACT
The Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) protects applicants, tenants, and participants in certain HUD programs from eviction, denial of housing assistance, or termination based on acts of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.